Counting equipment



Dec. 22, 1953 w. H. RAMSELL ET AL 2,663,495

COUNTING EQUPMENT Filed Jan. l2, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet l 60a) 2025) 00) 30d; 20e) 7\ /TEM 1 /ATEM 2 /gM s /rEM 4 /rEM 5 f gggnggl nnna naman Eii liz f /A/l/E/VTORV H/ 2J 2J 7 0/ /Wf/wj n /7EM2 /TEM 3 /EM 4 /TEM 5 gggggg maman anuncia numana ORD EHS l/ J (f5 J/ 9 fg@ N D 03h@ Dec. 22, 1953 Filed Jan. l2 1951 W. H. RAMSELL ETAL COUNTING EQUIPMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 jf* K Dec. 22, 1953 w. H. RAMSELL ET AL 2,663,495

COUNTING EQUIPMENT Filed Jan. 12, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Dec. 22, 1953 CGUN TIN G EQUIPMENT William H. Ramsell, Palo Alto, Calif., and Emerson A. Armstrong, Western Springs, Ill.

Application January 12, 1951, Serial No. 205,796

2 Claims. l

Our invention relates to facilities for selectively computing and keeping count individually, at one or more places, of a number of diierent items or things from one or more remote control stations, these facilities being particularly advantageous for such purposes as maintaining a dependable current inventory of a number of different items of manufacture as they are produced and disposed oi, and also a current record of unlled orders or requirements for each item as such orders or requirements are received or arise.

The invention, however, is not limited to such use but is applicable to any business or situation wherein there is constant change in the number or quantity of each of a number of items or things used or involved and it is important or desirable to maintain and display an accurate count of each at all times.

With this invention, a record or count may be readily maintained or" the number or quantity ci each of any number of items or things and the count oi each constantly changed and revised as transactions occur which affect the number or quantity thereof, so that the change or revision is practically contemporaneous with the transaction and an accurate count is accordingly shown at all times. The count may be controlled from of a n1 mber of remote places where the transactions occur or are supervised which result in the increase or decrease in the number or quantity of the items or things involved and the indicated number or quantity of each tem may oc added to or subtracted from as the particular transaction require.

Moreover, a number ci' different counts may be main Lined simultaneously, with respect to each item, giving needed information in regard to that item, and these different counts may be located in various places where the information is to be made use of, and at each of these places the count oi each item may be displayed so that it is visible all times.

These objects and advantages of the present invention may be accomplished with facilities such as described hereinafter and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

i is a view showing somewhat diagram inatioaliy an arrangement of counters control stations which may he employed in accordance with our invention;

2 is a diagrammatic View which is typical of each oi the counters of Fig. 1 and shows the electrical connections through which the counter wheels of each counter are consecutively operated;

Sii

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic View showing the manner in which the individual counters of Fig. 1 are selected and operated;

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the counter actuator which is provided at each control station for operating the counters;

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the selector Which is provided at each control station to select the particular counter to be operated and the particulator operation to be performed by the selected counter-whether addition or subtraction;

Fig. 6 is a detail View of a counter wheel such as employed in the counters, looking at the peripheral face of the counter wheel and showing part of the mechanism by which the counter wheel operation is effected;

Fig. 7 is a side view of a counter wheel assembly operating mechanism thereof, this assembly being typical of that provided for each counter wheel except that in certain instances some of the parts shown in this figure are omitted;

Fig. 8 is a top view of the carry-over switch which is associated with each counter wheel, except the rst;

Fig. 9 is a side view of the locking device with which each counter wheel is provided, said view being taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. '7.

10 is a fragmentary detail view of the pivoted end of the counter wheel lock; and

Fig. l1 is a diagrammatic View of the electrical connections and controls by which the operation ci any counter selector locks out any other counter selector the actuation which could otherwise coniict or interfere with the operation of the selected counter.

The particular embodiment of the invention which is shown for illustrative purposes in the drawings is adapted for use in a manufacturing plant to show at all times the number of each of the diiierent items or parts manufactured and on hand and the number of each of the items or parts required for unlled orders, two sets of counters being employed, one set or" which is designated in Fig. 1 of the drawing as Inventory and indicated as a whole by the reference numeral 2c and comprises a group of counters, which show the number of each of the parts or items on hand and the other set of which is designated in Fig. 1 as Orders and indicated by the reference numeral 2| and comprises a similar group of counters which show the num- Toer of each of the parts or items required for unfilled orders.

These two groups of counters are located in ai l' place or places where the information iurnisned thereby is desired or needed and they are s three stations designated d i l as Production Sales Shinn-ing, the Production station which is indicated a Whole oy the reference ral located the production department of the nient or whore production is supervised, and the Sales station, which is indicated as a whole by the reference numeral 23, being located in the sales department or where the sales supervised, the Shipping station, which is indicated as a Whole by the reference numeral seing located in the shipping department or Where outgoing shipments and deliveries are supervised The Production station Z2 controls and operates the counters of t -e Inventory group individually to add to the count thereof the amounts of each as producedadded to stool: on

and the Sales station 23 controls and ogeerates the counters of the Orders grou'o 2l individually to to the countthereoi the amounts oi each item for which new orders or reouisitions are received. rThe Shipping station on the other hand, and operates corresnonding counters si ltaneousiy in hoth groups Ztl and 2l to subtract from the Inventory count and at the same time from the Orders count or each individual item the number of such items as theav are shipped and the inventory and orders therefor thus. depleted.

The connections troni the ilroduction station 22 to the counters controlled therehy are rejoresentecl in Fig. i if and the connections it'rom the Sales station o the counters 2l con trolled thereoyrat the connections from the Shiooing station tl to both counter gr uns 2@ and '2l at i' understood that each or" these connections tlf/2a. i3d and comprises a group or conductors as hereinafter exolained.

The of counters in each of the two grouos, Inventory and Crders. is the same and 'corresoonds to the number of items dealt in in the -particular industry on which it is desrxd or necessary to maintain an accurate count at all times, and generally there are a large number of such items, hut for ourooses oi illustration counters for only items are shown, those of .the Inventory grouo fia being indicated respectively at Qe, 2er?, and Ze and those of the Orders group 2i respectively at 25a, 2lb, ilc, '2id and tie, the counters ina and 25a being for the sarne item. liirev-'iee the counters 2th, 2te, 2er?, and for the saine respective items the counters lhA ic, 2id and le.

Pretera'olv the co1. are all alike, each in the illustrated embodiment having a series of counter wheels arranged in line and each counter Wheel having the periuheral face thereof marked with the digits S to inclusive uniformly spaced therearound, shown in part in Fig. 6, the Wheels oi' each counter being mounted to rotate freelv on shaft 2e (Figs. o and '7) in a ng which. an elongated window or sight ooening 2l' through which a single row of aligned digits or numbers oi all the numbered Wheels of the counter are visi'ole to show the count cornputed oy counter. the present illustrated embodirent each counter has six counter wheels although it is to he understood that counters with a greater or smaller number of counter wheels may he employe-d if desired.

To distinguish the six counter Wheels yof each counter from one another the counter Wheel at the extreme left will he referred to hereinafter as the first counter wheel and the counter wheels controlled lS-point star Wheel cor and engaged hy paal ill to advance i c star Wheel and attac one at a -lcoulon, as

viewed in Fig.

operations.

operations oi effected and whereas fectec hy the Shippi oheration of the eccolo the 'reverse oi its no formed., as hereinaii inaccuracy which may cour:

hol o sive step latch is er shaped recess of the star Whee advance niovenient o" ing latch is t i Wheel as thcounter v1.1I

to correct any operating of each succesif-pointed in the V- or teeth uring each lu star wh. No hold or subtracting star held 'cy the it moved hy Each pavvl 29 and is normally retracted from engagement with its respective star wheel and is individually pivoted at its outer end as indicated at 33 and St so that the free end thereof swings toward and away from the periphery of the respective star wheel, the iree end of the pawl being located, as shown in Fig. '2, so that when it swings inwardly in the direction indicated by the arrow Qta in Fig. 7, it strikes the tip or apex of a tooth of 'the star wheel 2t at a place between the axis of the counter Wheel shaft it and the axis of the pawl Sii and thereby turns the counter wheel 25 in the counter-clockwise direction (as Viewed in Fig. 7) in which the digits of the counter Wheel are moved past the Window 2 (see Fig. l) in the direction from zero to l and consecutively from 1 to 9.

As the counter wheel is thus turned, the star Wheel tooth next following that engaged cy the patvl 29 is brought dov/'n against the end face of said pawl and the latter thus serves as a stop to limit the rotation of the counter wheel, the arrangement being such, however, that the counter wheel is advanced somewhat more than one-half a step.

The other pawl 3i is arranged to engage its star wheel @il and operate the counter wheel 25 in like manner, but its counter wheel operating movement, which is in the direction indicated by the arrow Sie, is the reverse of that or" the pat-vl 29 and it engages a tooth of the star wheel 3&3 in a manner to rotate the counter Wheel 25 in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 7, thereby bringing the counter wheel numbers or digits successively to the window opening 2l in decreasing value order.

The V- shaped latch 32 above referred to, which holds the counter wheel 25 in each of its successive count recording positions, is at one en d of an arm 35 which extends crosswise under the counter wheel and at its other end is horizontally pivoted, preferably at widely separated places as indicated at 3S in Fig. l0, so that the Vshaped latch is retractable downwardly from its engaging position in successive V-shaped recesses of the star wheel 25, and retracting facilities are provided which are operable by either pawl 2E or 3| and timed therewith so thatu as either pawl is operated to advance the counter wheel 25 respectively in the forward or reverse direction, said latch 32 is simultaneously retracted, and upon return of the then operating pawl 2S or 3l to its normal position, the latch 32 is returned to the latching position in the V-notch next adjoining that from which it has just been retracted.

For operating the latch 32 as aforesaid, the pivoted arm 35 at the end of which the latch is located, has an equalizer 3'! pivote-d to the underside thereof as at 38, midway between the pawls 28 and 3l each of the latter has an extension 39 with an opening 4Q .in which the respective end of the equalizer 3l is loosely engaged, the arrangement being such that when both pawls 29 and Si are in the retracted position, both ends of the equalizer 3l are held at such elevation that the latch 32 is iirinly engaged in a V-shaped notch oi the star wheel 28.

When, however, either pawl 2t or 3l is operated in the direction to rotate the counter wheel, the extension 39 thereof, at the saine time swings downwardly and rocks the equalizer 3l in the opening dll of the extension 3S of the other pawl sufficiently to retract the latch 32 from the notch of the star wheel 2tso the latter is free to be turned by the particular pawl 28 or 3l which in operation at the time.

In such operation by either pawl 2S or 3i, the counter wheel 25, as indicated above, is not rotated a full star wheel step but sufljciently more than a half step so that the particular notch of the star wheel 2B from which the latch.

has been retracted has moved beyond the point of reengageinent therewith and portion of the next succeeding notch of the star wheel is opposite the apex of the latch 32 so that the latter, when returned to the normal latching position, engages and effects such wedging action in such next succeeding notch to continue the more than half step movement of the counter wheel initiated by the pawl 2S or 3i and thereby complete the .step movement of the counter wheel, at the conclusion of which the latch 32 holds the counter wheel 25 in the final full step posi tion until the next operation of either one o the pawls 29 or 3i.

Thus it is assured that in any operation of the counter wheel 25 in either the forward or reverse direction, a full step movement thereof occurs in each instance the digit or niunber of the counter wheel which is advanced either forwardly or reversely to the sight opening or window 2 ci the counter is properly centered and held at the window or sight opening.

For operating the pawls 2S and 3i, electro-- magnets are employed. which may be energized from any desired remote location, the electroinagnet for the pawl 29 being indicated at 4l and located to cooperate with an armature i2 of the pawl 29 to operate the latter to advance the counter wheel 25 in the adding direction, and

the electro-magnet for the pawl 3l being indicated at 43 and located to cooperate with an armature 44 of the pawl 3l to operate the latter to advance the counter wheel the reverse or subtracting direction.

Each pawl 29 and 3l is provided at its pivoted end with a laterally extending arm 45 having a spring 46 connected therewith by which the respective pawl is normally held in the retracted position and returned to that position after each operation thereof by its respective electromagnet 4I or 43, and it is these springs lf3 which serve, through the pawls 2S and 3l and equalizer 3l to cause the latch 32 to engage the notches of the star wheel 28. A stop 4l is provided for each pawl 29 and 3) against which it abuts in the fully retracted position in which the latch 32 is fully engaged in a notch of the star wheel 2S.

Each counter wheel 25 of each counter 29a to 20c and 21a to 21e inclusive is individually pron vided with and operated by a pair of electromagnets 4| and 43 and in each counter operation, the counter wheels 23 of the particular counter that is being operated, are operated oon- Secutively, beginning with the counter wheel at the extreme left, called herein the iirst, and continuing thereafter with the second, then the third1 then the fourth, then the fth and nally the sixth counter wheels.

For convenience in referring thereto hereinafter' the counter wheels of each counter, while referred to and indicated generally by the reference numeral 25 are designated in Fig. in the order of their consecutive operation respectively as 25a, 25h, 25o, 25d, 25e and 25.2 and in said iig"- ure the electro-magnets which eilect the adding operations of said consecutively operated counter wheels, while indicated generally by the reference numeral 4i, are designated respectively in said Fig. 2 as 41a, Mh, Mc, did, liic and dif also in said figure, the electro-magnets which effect the 'subtracting operations of consecutively operated counter wheels, while indicated generally by the reference numeral d3, are designated respectively in said Fig. 2 as 43o, 4th, 43d, 43e and 43f.

For eiecting the aforesaid consecutive operation of the counter Wheels 25, each counter is individually provided with connected to a step switch having two circular series of contacts, each series composed of six contacts, one for each counter wheel, the contacts of one series being connected respectively to the electro-magnets 4l of the particular counter and the contacts of the other series 1'icing connected respectively to the subtracting electronic gnets 43 of that saine counter. These step switches are indicated as a whole at it in F'g. 3 with the exponents a, b, c, e and f added th o to dif tinguish the consecutive step switches one another, and. are shown in detail in an exploded manner in Fig. 2, in the latter of which the adding contacts are indicated at Jia, 48e and 48f, and the subtracting contacts at dta, 49h, 49o, 49d, 49e and 49j.

Each of said step switches may as shown in Fig. 2, of a shaft Si@ hai a pair of switch arms 5l and 52 thereon which are insulated from one another in the rotation of the shaft 56 engage consecutively with the ccntacts of the respective series, the arrangement being such that when the arrn Ei is engaged with the contact ttc, the arm 52 is engage ith the Contact 49a, and so on throughout the two series and, at the inal contacts 43j and :Etf ci the two series, the respective switch arms 5i and 52 pass, in the next step operation of the switch, to the beginning contacts ida and 49a respectively of the two series. For reasons explained hereinafter, the switch arms 5l and 52 remain engaged with the respective final contacts dei' and 49]' at the conclusion of each operating cycle of the step switch, as indicated by dotted lines at Elx and 52a: in Fig. 2, and are advanced to the contacts d8a and lita at the beginning of each operating cycle oi the step switch.

A six step ratchet wheel 53 is secured to the shaft 5i! and operated by a pawl 54 to rotate the shaft 5t and attached switch arms 5l and 52 one step at a time, each such step corresponding to the interval between the contacts of the two series, said pawl 5d being provided at one end with a hook 55 to engage with the teeth of the ratchet wheel and being pivoted at the other end, as indicated at 5S, to one end of a swinging arm El which in turn is pivoted at its other end, as L indicated at 58. This swinging arm 5'! carries an armature 59 which coopera es with an electromagnet 6u by which the step switch is operated.

The swinging arm 57i is normally retracted against a stop @i by a spring S2, and another' spring $3 connects the pawl 5d with the arm 57 so as to resiliently hold the hook end 55 of the pawl in engagement with the ratchet wheel 53, the latter being held against movement in a direction reverse to that oi its pawl operation by a pivoted latch 5d which is held by the spring t5 in contact with the periphery of the ratchet wheel 53.

rEhus whenever the electro-magnet te is energized, the ratchet wheel 53 and switch arrns 5i and 52 are advanced one step, and successive energizing of the electro-magnet moves the switch arms 5S and 52 into successive engagement with their respective contacts. These contacts, as above explained, serve to effect operation of the counter wheels consecutively, beginning with the counter wheel at the extreme left, and as there are six contacts in each series `and six counter wheels in the counter, all of which are operated consecutively in each counter operation, the switch arms 5i and 52 will make a complete revolution and return to the same starting position in engagement with the same contacts after each counter operation and thus be ready to effect the same consecutive operation ci" the counter wheels of the counter when it is nent operated. As above indicated, the starting position in which the switch arms 5i and 52 are left at the conclusion oi each counter operating cycle is as indicated at eist and 52:6 in Fig. 2.

For interreiating the operation or the counter wheels of each counter for carryover from each counter wheel the counter wheel immediately preceding, the necessary one digit movement of the latter counter wheel icr each ten count coinFJ pleted hy its inunediatei-.y succeeding counter wheel (either in adding or subtracting), each counter wheel ci each counter (except the last counter wheel at the left of the counter) is ar ranged so that at the appropriate place in each complete revolution thereof, it will cause energization of the appropriate electro-magnet il or iii of the next preceding counter wheel to eiect a one step niovernent to that next preceding counter wheel in the appropriate direction corresponding to the particular counte operation-that is, addition or subtraction-that is heing performed at the time.

To this end, each counter wheel, except the last one to the left of each counter, is provided with a deiiector (it at one side thereof inclined to the plane of the counter wheel so as to deflect a part engaged thereby toward or away from the side of the counter wheel, depending on the direction of movement of the counter wheel, and a switch is provided at each of said counter wheels for operation hy the respective deiiector te.

Each said switch comprises an insulating block {i'i supporting three leaf spring switch arms E58, and 'it the center one of which has near its free end contacts 'ii and i2, as shown in Figs. 6 and 8, on the opposite sides which are engageable respectively with matching contacts it and l respectively on the iree ends respectively of the switch arms 53 and ed. Each center switch arm le has a depending ringer l5 at its iree end in the path of movement of the deflector et of one oi the counter wheels and arranged so that in addition operation of the counter wheel the deiiector deiiects the switch it to contact the switch arni 61.3 as the 9 digit oi the counter wheel moves beyond the sight w dow 2i' is succeeded at the window by the Q digit in the adding operation of the counter, whereas in subtracting operations of the counter wheel the deector tt deflect" the switch arm 's'i to contact the switch arm Si@ as the 0 digit of the counter wheel moves beyond the sight Window 2 and is succeeded at the window hy the digit 9.

As there no counter wheel preceding the first counter wheel of each counter, there can be no carry-over from the iirst counter wheel to any preceding counter wheel either in adding or sub tracting and accordingiy no carry=over switch et, 'EG is provided in connection with the rst counter wheel or any of the counters.

Thus the counter wheel assembly of Figs. 6 and 7 is typical of every counter wheel ci every counn ter, except the iirst counter wheel of each counter, and it is typical of said rst counter @heels except that the first counter wheels are not pro vided with switches te, i5 and the deiiector by which the switch is opera-bie.

Each of the control stations from which the various counters are operable is provided with two separate devices, one or" which is reierred to hereinafter as the selector and serves to select the particular counter for operation and also the particular operation, whether addition or subtraction, to be performed by 'the selected counts and the other of which is referred to hereinafter as the actuator and serves to transmit to the selected counter the impulses by which the operation of the counter is effected.

These two devices, while separate entities structurally are interconnected e ectrically and may he incorporated in the same station unit, repree sented in Fig. 1, wherein the selectors of the stations 22, 23 and 2t are indicated as a whole respectively at til, 82 and 53 and the actuators thereof are indicated as a whole respectively at and 85.

The selectors may be of any desired type with selection facilities to set up connections to any number of counters individually the particular business or purpose for which the equipment is employed may require. in the iliustratcd embodiment counters for only rive items or things are shown and accordingly the selectors have only iive counter selections.

Details of these selectors are shown in Fig. 5 and in part in Fig. 3 and each comprises a rotatable shaft or stem 8l with an operating handle 88 at one end and a switch arm which is operable with the shaft and capable of making only a half turn to engage contacts by which the proper selections and connections are made. In addition each shaft 3l has locking controls associated therewith and indicated as a whole at St by which other stations are locked against use When any one of the stations is in use and also a locking device, indicated as a whole at 9 I by which the selector is locked against use when another station is in use.

The switch arm 89 is double ended in the respect that it has a central insulating part which is directly attached to the shaft 8S and this part has an extension at each end of conductive material and insulated from one another. One of these extensions is indicated at 52 and in the permissible half turn movement of the shaft 88 engages contacts which establish connections with the electro-magnets di or 43 of the particular counter selected for operation, while the other eX- tension, which is indicated at 93, during that saine half turn of the shaft 83 engages contacts and establishes connections through which the step switch (shown in Fig. 2) of the selected counter is operated.

The contacts by which the switch `arm extension 92 establishes connections with the electromagnets of the selected counter comprise an arcuate contact tli which is continuously engaged by the extension 92 throughout the permissible half turn movement of the shaft 88 and an arcuate series of ten separate contacts located radially beyond the contact 94 and consecutively engageahle loy the extension 32 in the half turn movement thereof. These contacts are designated respectively in the order of their consecutive engagement as a, is, 2a, 2s, 3a, 3s, 4c, 4s, 5c and 5s, and the contacts numbered I, 2, 3, l and 5 are connectible respectively with the electro-magnets of either the counters 26a, 20h, 2lc, 20d and 2te or the counters 2 la, 2lb, 21o, 2 ld and Zie as hereinafter explained, the contacts whose numbers have the exponent a being connectible to the electro-magnets tl which perform additions and the counters whose numbers have the exponent s being connectible to the electro-niagnets d3 which perform suhstractions.

The handle 83 of each selector at stations 22, 23 and 2t (Fig. l) has a pointer at one end which, in the half revolution of the shaft 8l, moves along markings corresponding to and indicating the above mentioned ten consecutive contact positions of the switch arm extension 92 so that the operator may readily adjust the selector to any one of the ten consecutive contact positions.

The selector t! of station 22 establishes connections only with the counters 20c, 20h, 20c, 20d, and 20e of the Grders group and the selector 32 of station 23 establishes connections only with the counters 2id, 2lb, Zic, 2|d and 2l@ of the Inventory group, whereas the selector B3 of station 24 establishes connections with the counters of both groups, and for the purpose of establishing independent connections for each group which are necessary to maintain group independence for separate group operation through the selectors 8i and t2, the selector 33 of the Shipping station 2c differs from the selectors of stations 22 and. 23 in the respect that it has a second row or arcuate series of ten contacts, shown in dotted lines in Figs. 3 and 5 in a location between the arcuate contact ad and the series of contacts la, is, 2a, 2s, 3a, 3s, da, lis, 5a and 5s. These contacts of said second row correspond serially or are paired respectively with the contacts of the other row or series so that when the switch arm CII permissible half turn movement of the shaft 8S and an arcuate series of rive separate contacts located radially beyond the contact @t and consecutively engagealoie hy the extension t3 in the turn movement thereof. These five contacts which selectively establish connections with the step switches of the counters, and are indicated respectively at if, 2, 3f, if and. 5f are of such length that the extension is engaged with each during engagement of the extension S2 with two successive contacts, as for example, the Contact i f being engaged 'py the extension when the extension 92 is engaged with either of the contacts la or is, and with the contacs 2f, S, 4f and 5f respectively when the extension 92 is engaged with contacts 2c or 2c, tc or 3s, da or cs and 5c or 5s.

The selector 8i? of the `Shipping station 2d also has a second row or arcuate series of 5 contacts, shown in dotted lines in Figs. 3 and 5 in a location between the arcuate contact andthe series of contacts if, if, 3f, if and which correspond serially or are paired respectively with contacts of the other row or series so that when the switch arm extension 93 engages any contact of the outer rocT or series, it at the saine time engages a corresponding contact of the inner row or series. For identification the contacts of the inner row will oe referred to individually cy the same reference numeral applied to the corresponding contacts if, 2f, 3f, if or 5f of the outer series out distinguished therefrom qualification as a contact of the inner row or series.

The switch arm t9 has an off position as indicated in Figs. 3 and 5 in which there is no engagement thereof with `of the contacts with which it cooperates, and in which the selector is normally maintained, and at station 22, and 24 there is an off marking with which the pointer of the handle it cooperates for setting the respective selector in the off position.

The ylocking controis t above referred to coinprise a switch arm, 38 which is secured on the selector shaft S8 and in the turn movement of the shaft engages two arcuate contacts iii@ and maintains such engagement t oughout that range of movement of the shalt in whic there is Contact of the switch arm with its contacts. n the off position of the selector when there is no engagement of the s "ch arm with any contacts, the switch arm of the locking controls is in a position out of engagement with the contacts QQ and it@ shown 5.

The locking device @i of the selector comprises a disk H22 which is iixed on the shaft 8i to rotate therewith, and this disk has a peripheral notch E03 adapted to he engaged hy a locking pawl 04 in the Gif position of the selector or prevent operation thereof. This pawl Hill is pivoted at |55 so that the free end swings to and from the position of locking engagement with the H32 and is normally held in the retracted position against a stop |63 by a spring |91.

For operating this pawl IIIII the pawl IDA is provided with an armature IIIS located in proximity to an electro-magnet IGS which, when energized, operates the pawl III@ against the tension of the spring Iii? to engage the notch m3 of the disk ISB and prevent operation of the selector.

Referring now to the counter actuators 86, 85 and IIS by which the impulses are transmitted which operate the counters, these are preferably of dial type similar to those commonly used in automatic telephone systems to selectively connect one telephone with another, although they may be of other type, and each has a rotatable circular plate I IQ, hereinafter referred to as the dial, with a circular series of l openings III near the periphery and adapted to be engaged by the iinger of the operator for rotating the dial.

Under the dial I III a circular series of stationary numbers from 0 to 9 inclusive, which are indicated by the reference numeral H2 and are arranged consecutively in the order of increasing value in a counter-clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 1 and located respectively directly under the openings I I I in the normal position of the dial plate IIS. A stationary nger stop IIS is located over the dial III) between the 0 and 9 numbers to determine the extent of each dialing operation and for reasons hereinafter explained, this dial stop is located closer to the 0 marking than the distance between consecutive numbers.

Each dial IIEI is secured, as indicated in Fig. d, to the end of a shaft IIII to which a helical spring I I5 is connected at its inner end, the outer end of said spring being i'lXedly secured as at I I6 in a position to maintain a tension on the shaft III to rotate it and the attached dial III) in a counter-clockwise direction, and a disk I I'I which is secured to the shaft I III has a radially projecting nger I I8 at the periphery which is engaged, by the tension of the spring II5, against the end of a leaf spring switch arm II9 which in turn is thereby engaged with a xed stop I which limits the counter-clockwise movement or" the shaft IIll by the spring II5 and determines the normal position of the dial IIII, this being the position of the dials III! as shown in Fig. 1.

When it is desired to operate the counter actuator, the iinger (or an instrument which may be provided for the purpose) is engaged in that opening I I I of the dial which is directly over the particular number II2 which is to be dialed, and the dial is rotated in a clockwise direction until the linger or instrument in the opening- III engages the nger stop IIS. This operation increases the tension of the spring II5 and upon release of the finger or instrument from the opening III the dial IIE returns to the normal position engaging and deiiecting the switch arm II9 against the stop IZII.

' This switch arm IIB is part of a switch assembly which operates the step switch of the selected counter to effect consecutive operation of the counter wheels, and comprises an insulating block IZI in which the outer end of the switch arm I I 9 is secured, and also another lea-f spring switch arm I22 likewise secured in said insulating block I2! and insulated from the switch arm IIS, the latter switch arm having at its free end a contact I23 which is adapted to engage a contact IZI on the switch arml I I9 to close a circuit.

In the normal position of the' dial IIB the contacts I23 and IZII are separated, as shown in Fig. 4, but upon each operation of the dial Il@ and l2 releasethereby of the iinger IIS of th'edisk II'I from engagement with the end of the switch arm I I9, the contacts I23 and I2@ immediately close together and remain closed until the dial I III returns again to the normal position.

A ratchet wheel and a cam wheel IZS are mounted on the shaft III to rotate freely thereon and interconnected as at I 2 to rotate in unison, the ratchet wheel being engaged by two spring pressed pawls E28 and IE5, the former of which is pivoted as at It to the disk II'I and the pawl IES being pivoted at I3! to a iixed support 232, the arrangement being such that when the dial IIII is operated in the clockwise direction and the disk I I'I rotated therewith, the pawl 29 holds the ratchet wheel I25 against rotation and the pawl I2@ rides over one or more ratchet teeth, depending upon the amount of turning movement imparted to the dial I III. When the dial I III is released and is returned by the spring III to normal position, the pawl I2@ engages behind the last ratchet wheel tooth over which it has ridden in the clockwise movement of the dial I III and rotates the ratchet wheel IZ, and the cam wheel IZE in a counter-clockwise direction a distance equal to the peripheral length of the number of ratchet wheel teeth over which the pawl IES has ridden in the clockwise movement of the dial IIE?, and at the same time the ratchet wheel teeth ride past the iixcd pawl It to the next position of holding engagement of the ratchet wheel with said pawl IZIJ.

The ratchet wheel I25 has ten ratchet teeth uniformly spaced therearound and corresponding to the consecutive arrangement of the dial numbers I I2 so that the number of ratchet teeth advanced by each operation of the dial III) is the same as that or" the particular number II2 under the dial opening III which is engaged by the ringer or instrument for operating the dial.

if the finger or instrument is engaged in the dial opening III directiy over the number 3 of the dial numbers IIE and rotated in the clockwise direction until the finger or instrument strikes the iinger stop I I3, then the return movement of the dial II@ to normal position will rotate the ratchet wheel 25 a distance of three ratchet teeth.

Itis to be noted in this connection that the first number 0 of the consecutive numbers IIZ, in the normal position of the dial I It, is at such distance from the finger stop II3 that the permissible movement of the dial III? by the nnger or instrument engaged in the opening directly7 above the number 0 is less than the distance between the consecutive numbers I I 2 and correspondingly Vless than a one tooth distance on the ratchet wheel It and accordingly such movement or operation of the dial I I6 causes no movement or" the ratchet wheel I2 Such movement or operation of the dial from the 0 position is sufficient, however, to cause sufcient movement of the disk II'I to retract the ringer I It from the switch arm I IS and permit closing together of the contacts i223 and Ifi and it is to be understood therefore that these contacts are closed together at the inception of each and every operation of the diai I'I.

rihe cam wheel I is of undular peripheral contour with ten rounded cam projections Ilt spaced at equal intervals therearound and corresponding to the ten ratchet teeth of the ratchet wheel It, so that whenever the dial I I@ is operated and the ratchet wheel 25 is advanced thereby a distance of a number of teeth determined by the particular opening l! of the dial and the cular thereunder selected for the on oi the dial, the same number of cam projections 33 of the cam wheel |25 will pass a given point. In other words the distance of cam wheel movement, measured in terms of cam projections which is imparted to the cam wheel i245 in each operation of the dial IIS is the same as the particular number or the series ci numbers H2 selected for each such operation oi the dial i iii.

rlhis Cain wheel 26 operates a switch which is indicated as a whole at |34 and composed of two leaf spring switch arms |35 and both of which are secured to an insulating block and insulatedl from one another.

The switch arm |35 has at its free end a rounded lateral oiiset which occupies a depression between cam projections |33 ci the earn wheel |25 in the normal position of the dial H in the rotation of the cani wheel |25 is deected outwardly together with the switch arm i3?l as each earn projection |33 passes thereunder.

rThus the number or" times the switch arm |35 is deflected outwardly in each operation of the dial i i@ depends upon the particular dista-nce oi inoveinent ci the dial ii] in each operation as the number ci ratchet tooth advances imparted to the rmchet wheel 25 and the nlunber of cano projec ion advances correspondingly imparted to the caro wheel i255 is determined by the particular' opening i i i of the dial engaged the finger or instrument for each operation.

li, for example, the dial Hi) is operated by the ringer or instrument engaged in the opening above the numeral 3 and the dial moved until the nnger or instrument engages the linger stop llt, the cam wheel 25 will loe advanced a distance ci three cam projections |33 and the switch arm i325 will be deflected three times. Thus the number of deections of the switch leaf occurring in each operation of the dial corresponds to the number under the particular opening that is engaged to operate the dial.

It is to be noted in this connection that upon completion of each operation of the dial HQ the earn wheel |25 cornes to rest in a position in which the offset E33 of the switch arm |35 is in a depression between cani projections, and it is to be noted further that by reason of the fact that operation oi the dial Hc by the linger or instrument engaged in the opening iii above the number does not advance the ratchet wheel there likewise no advance of the cani wheel |25 and deiiection of the switch arm |35 in such dial operation.

The switch arm |35 has a contact 23s on its outer face which engages a Contact lilo on the switch arm 35 upon each deflection of the switch arm E85 by a carn projection |33 of the cam wheel tie, these contacts being normally separated and adapted to separate after each deflection oi the switch arm 35 by a earn projection |33. Thus the number of times the contacts |39 and le@ are closed together in any operation of the dial H53 corresponds to the particular number under the opening l l i that is engaged for operation of the dial` For locking the actuator against operation when another station is in use, the disk Hl has a notch lll-l in the periphery engageable by a lockinfT projection on the end of a pawl |42 which is pivoted at lot and normally retracted against a stop ill by a spring |155 to leave the disk Ill free to rotate. The paw! |22 has an armature 545 thereon cooperatively positioned for operation by an electro-magnet ld'l by which the pawl is operated to lock the disk when another station is in use.

Each one Iof the counters 2M, Zilb, 20c, 2M and 20e of the Inventory group and each of the counters 2|a, 2|b, 2|c, 2|d and Zle of the Orders group is an independent and independently operable unit having as part thereof a step switch such as shown in the lower half of Fig. 2 which establishes connections consecutively to the adding,t electro-magnets 11| ci the six counter wheels of the counter and at the saine time likewise establishes corresponding connections consecutively to the subtracting electro-magnet 3 of the counter', only one set of wheels, however, is energizable at a time.

To effect these consecutive connections each counter has conductors U38, les, |5il. |5|, |52 and |53 leading respectively from the contacts 43a, 48h, 48o, 48d, 48e and oi its step switch to the adding electro-magnets 4 lo, ib, Mc, e ld, Me and 4| f of that counter, as shown in Fig. 2, and connected to what we shall consider and refer to as the positive terminals of the electro-magnets. The other terminals of said electro-magnets, which we shall consider and refer to hereinafter as the negative terminals, are all connected to the same conductor which is indicated in Fig. 2 at |54 and will be considered and referred to hereinafter as the return or negative wire of the current supply line.

Each conductor Hi8, |49, |59, |5| and |52 is continued beyond its connection with its respective electro-magnet and connected with the Switch arm t3 at the counter wheel next following that operated by the electro-magnet to which the conductor` is connected, as shown in Fig. 2. The rst counter wheel 25a has no switch arm 58, and the conductor lf!!!- oi the electro-magnet ela of said first counter wheel is continued to connect with the switch arm $8 of the second counter wheel 25h whereas the conductor |53 terminates at its electro-magnet li |f and has no continuation therebeyond. All of the switch arms 'l with which the switch arms 63 cooperate are connected with a conductor which is indicated in Fig. 2 at |55 and will be considered and referred to hereinafter as the feed or positive wire of the current supply line.

Each counter also has conductors |56, |51, |58, |59, and |6| leading respectively from the contacts 48a, 4%, sec, 49d, 49e and 43j of its step switch to the subtracting electro-magnets 43o, 43h, 43e, 43d, 53e and 431 oi that counter and connected to the positive terminals thereof and the other or negative terminals of all said electro-magnets are connected to the return wire 54.

Each conductor` |55, l5?, Iii-ii, its and 55e is continued beyond its connection with its respective electro-magnet and connected with the switch arm E9 at the counter wheel next following that operated by the electro-magnet to which the conductor is connected, as shown in liig. 2. The iirst counter wheel 25a has no switch arm 69 and the conductor It! of the electro-magnet lila of said rst counter wheel is continued to and connected with the switch arm Se of the second counter wheel 257', whereas the conductor |66 terminates at its electro-magnet 43] and has no continuation therebeyond. As before indicated, the switch arms 'IQ with which the switch arms 69 cooperate are connected with the feed wire |55.

The arrangement of Fig. 2 is typical of each of the Inventory counters 29a, 2Gb, 20c, 20d and operates the cam Wheel |26 a distance of one cam projection |33 and closes the switch |35, 3S once. This transmits a single impulse to the adding electro magnet ci of the fourth counter wheel of the counter' 22o and advances that coun wheel step in the adding direction.

Then the number 6 is dialed, at the initiation of which operation the step switch arm is moved to the 48e contact, whereupon the return movement of the dial operates the switch |35,

|33 six times and impresses six impulses on the electro-magnet 4| of the fth counter wheel of the counter c and advances that counter wheel six steps in the adding direction.

Finally the number 5 is dialed, and in like manner the step switch arm 5| is moved to the contact 481F and five impulses impressed on the adding electro magnet 4| of the last counter wheel of the counter` 20c and that counter wheel thereby advanced 5 steps in the adding direction, after which the selector 88 is turned to the off position to clear the system for operation by whichever station may be operated next.

1f several amounts are to be added (or subtracted) at the particular operating station it is not essential that the selector be returned to the off position after each amount has been dialed, as it may be set directly to select another counter, but it is essential to return the operating handle to the off position after completion of each interval of use.

Each of the other stations 23 and 24 is operable in like manner, except that operation of the station 23 is impressed only on selected counters of the Orders group 2|, whereas operation of the station 24 simultaneously impresses its operation on corresponding counters of both groups 20 and 2|.

Connections are provided to energize the electro-magnets |09 and |41 so that, as soon as and during the time that any one station is in use, the counter selector and counter actuator of any other station or stations which would conniet or interfere with such use are locked and operation thereof prevented.

These connections are shown in Fig. 11 in which the reference numerals 22, 23 and 24 indicate respectively the Production station, Sales station and Shipping station locations. As shown in said Fig. l1, the arcuate contact |00 of each station selector is connected with one wire of the current supply, for example, the feed wire |55, and the return wire |54 is connected with the negative terminal of each of the three electro-magnets |09 which operate the selector locking pawls |04 respectively of the stations 22, 23 and 24 and said return wire |54 is also connected to the negative terminal of each of the three electro-magnets |41 which operate the actuator locking pawls 42 respectively of stations 22, 23 and 24.

The arcuate contacts 99 of the selectors at stations 22 and 23 are connected by the conductor |82 with the positive terminals of the electro-magnets |09 and |41 of station 24 and by reason thereof, when the selector at either station 22 or 23 is operated and in use and the switch arm 98 of that station engaged with the contacts 99 and |00, both the selector and the actuator of station 23 are locked by the respective pawls |04 and |42 against operation.

No interlocking of stations 22 and 23 is provided or required during the operation of either, as each operates a separate group of counters through independent connections, and accordingly stations 22 and 23 may operate simultaneously without interference.

Station 24, however, actuates both groups 20 and 2| of counters and accordingly the arcuate contact 99 thereof is connected by the conductor |83 with the positive terminals of the electromagnets |09 and |41 or both stations 22 and 23 so that when the selector of station 24 is operated and in use and the switch arm 98 of that station engaged with the contacts 99 and |00, the selectors and actuators of both stations 22 and 23 are locked by their respective pawls |04 and |42 against operation.

While we have shown and described our invention in a preferred form, we are aware that Various changes and modications may be made therein without departing from the principles of the invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. Counting facilities of the class described comprising a group of counters each having a series of counter wheels, a plurality of separate stations each of which is independently operable to select and operate the counters of the group individually, said counter wheels of each counter being operable optionally in forward or reverse directions by each station, each counter having a stepping device associated therewith by which the counter wheels of the counter are consecutively connected individually with the station by which it is selected and operated, each said station having a counter operator which is manually operable to operate the counter wheels individually, said counter operator having facilities which are eiective in each interval between manual counter wheel operation thereof to operate the stepping device to connect another counter wheel with the station.

2. Counting facilities of the class described comprising a group of counters each of which has a series of consecutively operated counter wheels, a control station having a counter actuator by which variable step by step rotation is imparted to each counter wheel individually and said control station having a counter selector by which each counter is operatively connectible individually with the actuator, said actuator being operable to transmit a series of individualized, consecutive counter wheel operating cycles of electrical impulses, each cycle of which operates a different counter wheel and corresponds in the number of impulses to the number of steps of the step by step movement to be imparted to the counter wheel operated by that cycle, each counter having a stepping device associated therewith by which the counter wheels of the counter are consecutively connected individually with the station by which it is selected and operated, each said station having a counter operator which is manually operable to operate the counter wheels individually, said counter operator having facilities which are effective in each interval between manual counter Wheel operation thereof to operate the stepping device to connect another counter wheel with the station.

WILLIAM H. RAMSELL. EMERSON A. ARMSTRONG.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,528,394 Sharpless et al Oct. 31, 1950 2,535,218 Marble Dec. 26, 1950 

